Something Real- Pablo Gavi

Bonus 2

"Let's go Fernando, we cannot be late." I say knocking on Fernando's door

"I'm coming, I couldn't find my sweatshirt." He says opening the door and I nod

"Well hurry, there is yogurt and granola calling your name for the car ride." I say and he smiles

"That sounds good, but I can do you one better. Throw a banana in and you have a deal." He says as I laugh

"You're a little hustler." I say as we get to the kitchen and I grab him a banana and place it down with the yogurt.

"Ok put on your shoes, im gonna go quickly and grab a change of clothes for your sister then we are gonna go." I say and he nods

After he got his stuff all together we got in the car and I was sure to make sure he was completely good and settled before getting in the driver seat. Just as I begin to drive I get a call from my mom

"What's up?" I ask her

"Nothing much, I'm just checking in on you. How are you?" She asks

"I'm good, I'm driving to get Nat right now, then we are going to Madrid for the match," I explain.

"Oh, that's right! Pablo's playing today," she says brightly. "Tell him I said good luck. And give the kids a kiss for me."

"I will. Nat stayed over at Estelle's last night for Lily's party, so I'm picking her up on the way," I add, glancing at the GPS. "We're actually running on time for once."

"Well, that's a miracle," she jokes. "Drive safe, mija. I'll talk to you later."

"Love you, Mom." I end the call and glance back at Fernando through the rearview mirror. He's halfway through his granola, humming quietly as he watches the trees rush past his window.

"Did you remember the signs we made?" he asks suddenly.

"They're in the trunk with the snacks and the extra blanket," I say, merging onto the highway. "I made sure we brought the wristband for Nat too."

"Good," he says with a nod. "Papa gets weirdly superstitious about that thing."

I smile. "He says it's his lucky charm."

We pull up in front of Estelle's house a little after nine. Nathalie is already on the front porch, her little overnight bag by her feet, the infamous red-and-blue wristband on her wrist, and a juice box in hand. She looks up and waves like she's been waiting her whole life for this moment.

"Hey superstar," I say as she climbs in, Fernando already shifting to make space.

"Hi Mama! Lily gave me the sparkly clips in my hair. Do you see them?" she beams, turning her head side to side.

"I see them," I laugh, buckling her in. "You look perfect."

"Did you bring the signs?" she asks.

"Yes."

"And my wristband?"

"Yes," I say again with a grin. "You think I'd forget your match-day essentials?"

"Good," she says proudly. "Papa needs me."

Fernando rolls his eyes. "He needs both of us."

"Not the time to argue, team," I say, pulling back onto the road. "We've got two hours to Madrid and no time for sibling rivalries."

The kids go back to snacking and quietly debating who's going to score the first goal as the city fades behind us and the road stretches ahead—destination: Santiago Bernabéu.